If health is in the favor of the Detroit Pistons this upcoming season — looking at you Reggie Jackson and Blake Griffin — then the process of elimination should wiggle the franchise to just its second playoff berth this decade. With LeBron James now in Los Angeles, the Cleveland Cavaliers are destined for lottery status, and last year’s No. 9-seeded Pistons should round out next season’s Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Health, in reality, has been the greatest deterrer to Detroit’s playoff hopes. Seemingly, it’s the reason former head coach and team president Stan Van Gundy has been replaced by Dwane Casey and Ed Stefanski. When Van Gundy took over the franchise in 2014, many believed his future with the Pistons would hinge on the development of Andre Drummond. Instead, as we stare into the rearview mirror, it was dependent upon the availability and well-being of Jackson, who was, arguably, the best player on Detroit’s roster when the...